Selling a house in Corte Madera, CA: what the city requires

Marin County, California · Last checked November 2026

Required at sale

Corte Madera requires a Report of Residential Record before a sale.

What Corte Madera requires

Report of Residential Record

Who does it
Town of Corte Madera
Cost
$130 per the 2026 title-company list

Who to call

Town of Corte Madera
(415) 927-5062
Official page

Housing in Corte Madera

Median year homes were built
1962
Median home value
$1,755,200
Owner-occupied homes
2,778 of 4,036 (69%)
Total housing units
4,171

Homes here are typically from 1962 or later, so inspections tend to focus on safety items like smoke and CO alarms, GFCI outlets and handrails.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Corte Madera town, California.

Need this done in Corte Madera?

Get quotes from a local local permit expediter, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.

What do you need?

How the city presale report process works

Some California cities require a presale records report before escrow closes. It tells the buyer what the city has on file: legal use, permits, open violations, and sometimes items found on an inspection.

  1. Order the report from the city as soon as you list. Processing can take days to weeks.
  2. Read it for unpermitted work or open violations. These are the items that slow a sale.
  3. Give the report to the buyer before the deadline in the city ordinance, usually before close of escrow.
Typical cost ranges (estimates, not quotes)
ItemTypical range
City report fee$0 to $1,050, depending on the city

Read the full city presale report guide

If the house fails

You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.

Frequently asked questions

What does Corte Madera require before I sell my house?

Corte Madera requires a Report of Residential Record before a sale.

How much does the report of residential record cost in Corte Madera?

$130 per the 2026 title-company list Typical related costs: city report fee $0 to $1,050, depending on the city.

What if my house fails?

You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.

Who pays, the buyer or the seller?

The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.

How old are the homes in Corte Madera?

The median home in Corte Madera was built in 1962, and the median home value is $1,755,200, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

Nearby: San Francisco Bay Area

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Sources

Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.